I was at a friend’s cottage. Scorching Summer days, humid nights, funny hat games and communal cooking. Separate bunkies for different friend groups. A true Canadian tradition.
On this particular cottage weekend, many years ago now, I met a woman who was self-employed in the healing arts. This important work, not unexpectedly, yielded her little in way of reliable income (particularly given she allowed her clients to pay based on what they could afford).
I discovered her financial challenges only when she shared that she and her husband were on a list for affordable public housing. She was excited and hopeful something would come up after so many years of waiting. Later that same weekend this woman offered something I still think about. Daily. Here is what she said:
I’ll know I’m rich when I own more than one cutting board.
To be honest, I have no recollection what prompted her to share this. She was not asking for feedback nor seeking sympathy. Just a statement of fact.
Now, every single time I pull out a cutting board to prep a meal, I am reminded of her wisdom. I hope she found her home. I hope her work now pays her what she is worth.
And I hope she has so. many. cutting. boards.
This woman’s definition of rich is not mine and it may not be yours either. But clarity around what being rich means is what I strive to know in my bones.
To know what ‘enough’ truly is.
I guarantee you whatever your definition of rich may be, after reading this, every single time you use one of your cutting boards (plural)– you’ll remember her.
You will feel what she meant. What a blessing it is to know what a blessing is.
Love all you bunnies in your bunny suits